I'm new to home espresso. Bought a De'Longhi BAR32 Retro pump machine. The portafilter has a pressurized basket. Should I start timing the shot from switch on or from the basket valve opening (I can hear it)?

Thanks for your quick reply. So my shots are taking way too long, ~40s. Yes, it is a 53mm basket, however a new portafilter will cost me almost as much as the De'Longhi, ~$100. I did expect a comment about the pressurized basket, and probably about the machine itself. What is the purpose of the pressurized basket? Compensation for some other shortcoming?

Thanks for your quick reply. So my shots are taking way too long, ~40s. Yes, it is a 53mm basket, however a new portafilter will cost me almost as much as the De'Longhi, ~$100. I did expect a comment about the pressurized basket, and probably about the machine itself. What is the purpose of the pressurized basket? Compensation for some other shortcoming?

Yes, compensation. It's commonly called a "crema enhancer" but it's only frothy bubbles.I believe with a pair of pliers you can convert it to non pressurized. Someone here can tell you how.BTW, I'm too lazy to Google, so I assume your machine actually has a pump, and ios not "steam driven?" If the latter, toss it, and save up for a Gaggia or some-such nice starter espresso machine.

Hello nils and welcome to the coffee world! Jajaj iam a delonghi user for 5 year! Until i upgrade to a bezzera a couple weeks ago! I have the delonghi ec-155 model no regrets like i say no problem still workin! Your model like mine have a pressurized basket (not porta filter) and the good news you could change it, is not goin to cost you $100 at most $30. But its goin to improbe the quality off your shoot. I never change mine i just learn a couple trick on how to get lets says a good shot.

I'll try answering your actual question and leave portafilters out of this. However, I'm a newbie too, and am not sure if I do it right... I time my shots from first drop of coffee to last. I think I read somewhere that was the way to do it. Makes timing easy, but I don't know if its right... geeks?-Sune

Some people start timing their shots from the moment they turn on the pump, i.e. flip the switch. And that's the way Swiss champion barista Thomas Liebe once explanied it in a TV interview as well. However, other people time their shots from the moment the first drop of espresso appears. I guess there really is no wrong, but two rights. Just try when you get the results that taste best to you.

***"This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee, when he was urged to ban the beverage)

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